COUNTY LAW LIBRARIES

KRS tit. XIV, ch. 172

in effect

KRS 172.010 Repealed, 1944

172.010. Repealed, 1944 Catchline at repeal: County public library; establishment of. History: Repealed 1944 Ky. Acts ch. 160, sec. 13. -- Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, from Ky. Stat. sec. 938d-1.

KRS 172.020 Repealed, 1944

172.020. Repealed, 1944 Catchline at repeal: County library board. History: Repealed 1944 Ky. Acts ch. 160, sec. 13. -- Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, from Ky. Stat. secs. 938d-1, 938d-3.

KRS 172.030 Repealed, 1944

172.030. Repealed, 1944 Catchline at repeal: Certificate of appointment and oath; record of. History: Repealed 1944 Ky. Acts ch. 160, sec. 13. -- Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, from Ky. Stat. sec. 938d-2.

KRS 172.040 Repealed, 1944

172.040. Repealed, 1944 Catchline at repeal: Powers and duties of county library board. History: Repealed 1944 Ky. Acts ch. 160, sec. 13. -- Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, from Ky. Stat. sec. 938d-3.

KRS 172.050 Repealed, 1944

172.050. Repealed, 1944 Catchline at repeal: Tax levy for county library. History: Repealed 1944 Ky. Acts ch. 160, sec. 13. -- Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, from Ky. Stat. secs. 938d-1, 938d-6.

KRS 172.060 Repealed, 1944

172.060. Repealed, 1944 Catchline at repeal: Finance; county library fund; disbursements. History: Repealed 1944 Ky. Acts ch. 160, sec. 13. -- Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, from Ky. Stat. sec. 938d-3.

KRS 172.070 Repealed, 1944

172.070. Repealed, 1944 Catchline at repeal: Consolidation with other local libraries. History: Repealed 1944 Ky. Acts ch. 160, sec. 13. -- Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, from Ky. Stat. sec. 938d-7.

KRS 172.080 Repealed, 1944

172.080. Repealed, 1944 Catchline at repeal: County tax to support city library when used by county. History: Repealed 1944 Ky. Acts ch. 160, sec. 13. -- Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, from Ky. Stat. sec. 938d-4.

KRS 172.090 Repealed, 1944

172.090. Repealed, 1944 Catchline at repeal: Additional members on board; when appointed; terms; qualifications; authority. History: Repealed 1944 Ky. Acts ch. 160, sec. 13. -- Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, from Ky. Stat. sec. 938d-5.

KRS 172.095 Renumbered as KRS 173.105

KRS 172.100 County law library -- Location -- Books -- Electronic access -- Online legal resources

172.100. County law library -- Location -- Books -- Electronic access -- Online legal resources (1) A county law library shall be established in each county seat and the fiscal court of each county shall designate sufficient room in the courthouse, i n a building of good construction adjacent to the courthouse, in the local public library, or in a building where sessions of the District or Circuit Court are regularly held, or a combination of the foregoing, where such library shall be located and where the books and materials of the library may be safely kept. (2) The books of the county law library shall consist of all volumes belonging to the state heretofore sent to the various county officials directed by law to receive such books, and all volumes hereafter sent to such library by the state, and all books now owned or hereafter acquired by the county for the library. Where required to be provided by law, the state may provide electronic access to books and legal resources in lieu of bound volumes. Th e counties may provide online legal resources, including access and subscriptions to computer -assisted legal research facilities and the related infrastructure required to access the internet, and may acquire books, maps, computers and related equipment, o r other articles for the library by purchase, gift, or devise. Effective: July 15, 2026 History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 76, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2026. -- Amended 2007 Ky. Acts ch. 35, sec. 1, effective June 26, 2007. -- Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, from Ky. Stat. sec. 2438c-8.

KRS 172.110 Circuit clerk is librarian -- Duties -- Salary -- Inventory

172.110. Circuit clerk is librarian -- Duties -- Salary -- Inventory (1) The circuit clerk shall be ex officio librarian of the county law library, and he shall see that county and state officials have access to the library at reasonable hours each day except Sunday and holidays. He shall receive a salary of not less than fifty dollars ($50) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100) per month for his services as librarian. (2) He shall keep the library rooms in order, preserve, arrange and index all the books, charts, maps and furniture belonging in the library, and see that no books or other things are taken from the library rooms without a receipt being given therefor. (3) He shall receipt for all books, maps and furniture placed in the library. The receipts shall be given to the state law librarian and preserved in his office at Frankfort. (4) He shall take an inventory each December of all the books, maps, charts or other property in the library belonging to the state and report the inventory under oath to the state law librarian before January 1 of the following year. History: Amended 1956 Ky. Acts ch. 142, sec. 1. -- Amended 1954 Ky. Acts ch. 42, sec. 22. -- Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, from Ky. Stat. sec. 2438c-8.

KRS 172.120 Clerk to give inventories to successor -- Receipt to predecessor -- Liability for books lost

172.120. Clerk to give inventories to successor -- Receipt to predecessor -- Liability for books lost (1) Each clerk shall turn over to his successor separate inventories of all books, stationery and other property in the library at the commencement of his term, and all property placed in the library during his term. (2) Each clerk shall receipt to his predecessor for all books, stationery, and other property in the library at the time he takes charge, and shall be responsible upon his official bond for the value of all books lost from the library during his term of office. Effective: October 1, 1942 History: Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, from Ky. Stat. sec. 2438c-9.

KRS 172.130 Fiscal court members to be trustees -- Appropriations

172.130. Fiscal court members to be trustees -- Appropriations The members of the fiscal court shall be trustees of the county law library and shall see that the circuit clerk properly discharges his duties as librarian. The fiscal court may appropriate money out of the county treasury to pay for legal textbooks and decisions of the courts of other states, and to replace decisions of the Court of Justice furnished by the state which have been lost, mutilated or destroyed. History: Amended 1976 Ky. Acts ch. 62, sec. 91. -- Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, from Ky. Stat. sec. 2438c-10.

KRS 172.140 Use of books -- Removal from library -- To be returned on request

172.140. Use of books -- Removal from library -- To be returned on request (1) Any person may use the books in the library, but the clerk shall not permit anyone to take the books out of the library, except that officials and attorneys-at-law may take the books to courtrooms to be used in the argument of cases there pending but not elsewhere. (2) Any person who has in his possession any public book belonging to the state shall, upon request of the clerk having custody of the book, return it to the clerk. Effective: October 1, 1942 History: Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, from Ky. Stat. secs. 2431, 2438c-11.

KRS 172.150 Record of books taken from library -- Liability for failure to return book - - Action

172.150. Record of books taken from library -- Liability for failure to return book - - Action The clerk shall keep a record in which he shall charge each book to the person taking it from the library and he shall see that all books so taken are returned at the proper time. If any person fails to return a book taken out by him, he shall be liable for double the cost thereof and the clerk shall move for judgment in the name of the state against such person under the procedure set out in KRS 418.005 to 418.015 and CR 6.03(2). The state may have attachment without bond for all such books. History: Amended 1962 Ky. Acts ch. 210, sec. 24. -- Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, from Ky. Stat. secs. 2438c-12, 2438c-13.

KRS 172.160 State university and college libraries -- Clerk may give material to

172.160. State university and college libraries -- Clerk may give material to The circuit clerk as county law librarian may give to the library of the University of Kentucky and to the libraries of the state universities and colleges, such noncurrent documents and reports and other library materials in his possession as are not needed by the county. Effective: October 1, 1942 History: Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, from Ky. Stat. sec. 2438c-11a.

KRS 172.170 County law library

172.170. County law library (1) The provisions of KRS 172.100 to 172.160 shall not apply to any county that has a law library acquired under the provisions of Chapter 2 of the Acts of 1916. The fiscal court of such county may make such rules and regulations regarding the maintenance and operation of the library as the court deems proper and as are approved by the judge or judges of the Circuit Court of the county, and may employ a librarian at a salary not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) per month, and pay said salary out of the general funds of the county. The library shall be for the use of the court officers and county officers of the county, and the fiscal court may provide for the use of the library by others than the court and county officers, on such terms as the fiscal court deems advisable and proper. (2) All books belonging to the state heretofore or hereafter sent to the county officials directed by law to receive such books, all books sent to the library by the state, and all books now owned or hereafter acquired by the county for the library, shall constitute part of the library. The county may acquire books, maps or other articles for the library by purchase, gift or devise. Effective: January 1, 2015 History: Amended 2014 Ky. Acts ch. 92, sec. 242, effective January 1, 2015. -- Created 1946 Ky. Acts ch. 168, sec. 1.

KRS 172.180 Alternate method of financing library

172.180. Alternate method of financing library Any county may adopt the following method of financing the cost of operation and maintenance of the county law library, in lieu of the method set out in KRS 172.130 or 172.170: (1) Upon petition of three-fourths (3/4) of the duly licensed and practicing attorneys resident in the county addressed to the Circuit Judge of the county, to the effect that they, as officers of the various courts of the county, recognize the need of a more adequate county law library, there being attached to said petition an attested copy of a resolution of the fiscal court of the county indorsing the adoption of this optional method of financing the cost of operation and maintenance of the county law library, the Circuit Judge shall enter an order noting that said optional plan for the financing of the cost of operation and maintenance of the county law library has been adopted. (2) The order shall set forth the name of each duly licensed and practicing attorney signing said petition, and the order book and page number containing the resolution of the fiscal court. (3) The order shall direct the following: (a) That upon receipt of the order by the clerks of said courts there shall be taxed as costs in all criminal actions, except examining trials and felony trials, thereafter instituted in said court the following fee, which shall be designated as county law library fee, in District Court, a sum not to exceed fifty cents ($0.50); in Circuit and District Courts, on all civil actions a sum not to exceed one dollar ($1) excepting, however, in counties containing cities of the first class and counties containing an urban-county government or cities with populations equal to or greater than twenty thousand (20,000) based upon the most recent federal decennial census, where the county law library fee, in District Court, shall be a sum not to exceed one dollar and fifty cents ($1.50); in Circuit and District Courts, on all civil actions, a sum not to exceed three dollars ($3); and (b) That the circuit clerk shall at the end of each month pay all sums collected as county law library fees during the preceding month, to the trustees of the county law library, and the clerk shall make a full report with said payment, and receive a receipt for all payments. Effective: January 1, 2015 History: Amended 2014 Ky. Acts ch. 92, sec. 243, effective January 1, 2015. -- Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 231, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1996. -- Amended 1986 Ky. Acts ch. 392, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1986. -- Amended 1978 Ky. Acts ch. 384, sec. 295, effective June 17, 1978. -- Amended 1976 (1st Extra. Sess.) Ky. Acts ch. 14, sec. 165, effective January 2, 1978. -- Amended 1960 Ky. Acts ch. 17, sec. 1, effective June 16, 1960. -- Amended 1958 Ky. Acts ch. 75, sec. 1. -- Created 1956 Ky. Acts ch. 206, sec. 1.

KRS 172.190 County law library fund

172.190. County law library fund Upon adoption of the optional method of financing a county law library provided in KRS 172.180, the funds derived from the county law library fee shall be designated county law library fund, and said fund shall be under the sole and full control of the trustees of the county law library. Effective: June 19, 1958 History: Amended 1958 Ky. Acts ch. 75, sec. 2, effective June 19, 1958. -- Created 1956 Ky. Acts ch. 206, sec. 2.

KRS 172.200 Appointment of trustees -- Powers -- Duties -- Limits on indebtedness -- County not to be liable -- Treasurer, duties

172.200. Appointment of trustees -- Powers -- Duties -- Limits on indebtedness -- County not to be liable -- Treasurer, duties (1) Upon the adoption of this optional plan, in counties other than those containing a city of the first class or consolidated local government, the Circuit Judge shall appoint one (1) member of the county's bar, and the members of the county's bar shall, by majority vote, elect another of their number, which two (2) attorneys shall, with the county attorney of the county, constitute and be designated as "Trustees, .... County Law Library." In counties containing a city of the first class or consolidated local government, the Chief Circuit Judge shall appoint one (1) member of the county's bar; the members of the county's bar shall, by majority vote, elect another of their number; the fiscal court or consolidated local government pursuant to the provisions of KRS 67C.139 shall appoint one (1) member, and one (1) member shall be appointed by the Commonwealth's attorney, which f our (4) attorneys shall, with the county attorney of the county, constitute and be designated as "Trustees, ........ County Law Library" or in a county containing a consolidated local government, "Trustees, ......../..........County Law Library," which sha ll be a combination of the names of the largest city in existence on the date of the approval of the consolidated local government and the county. (2) The trustees shall serve for a term of two (2) years or until their successors are elected or qualified. (3) The trustees shall be in charge of the county law library, and they shall make purchases of the various state and federal case reports, textbooks, legal encyclopedia, computers and related equipment, including access and subscriptions to computer-assisted legal research facilities and the related infrastructure required to access the internet, and all other books or equipment usually incident to or customarily found in law libraries, or necessary to the protection of the rights of litigants, and they shall cause same to be properly arranged in the county law library or Court of Justice facilities, directing the ex officio librarian in the exercise of his or her duties. The trustees may also provide online legal resources for the use of library patrons. (4) The trustees shall exercise their absolute discretion in the purchase of books, pamphlets, periodicals, and other materials and equipment, and in the appointment and compensation of personnel to assist the ex officio librarian in the handling of materials and in the maintenance of the library, but the trustees shall not contract for any such purchases and appointments so as to create an indebtedness greater than the anticipated revenue for the following eighteen (18) months, the anticipated revenue being based upon the preceding eighteen (18) months' revenue, and any indebtedness of the county law library fund shall not be considered in any way an indebtedness of the county, but shall be an indebtedness of the county law library fund only, and all credito rs must look only to the county law library fund for satisfaction of their indebtedness. (5) The trustees shall designate one (1) of their number as treasurer and he or she shall: (a) Be accountable for the receipt, deposit, and disbursement of all sums re ceived for the operation of the county law library; (b) Be bonded by a corporate bond, the cost of which shall be paid out of the receipts of the library fund; (c) Deposit all sums received by him or her as treasurer in a regular banking depository, and he or she shall pay for all purchases made by the trustees by check or draft, keeping a true and accurate account of all sums received and expended; (d) Annually file a written report with the Circuit Judge of the county showing all sums received, together with the court from which they were received, and an itemized statement of all expenditures made; and (e) Turn all funds over to his or her successor, together with a full inventory of the county law library, and together with a full and complete itemized statement of all outstanding accounts. Effective: July 15, 2026 History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 76, sec. 2, effective July 15, 2026. -- Amended 2013 Ky. Acts ch. 20, sec. 1, effective June 25, 2013. -- Amended 2007 Ky. Acts ch. 35, sec. 2, effective June 26, 2007. -- Amended 2002 Ky. Acts ch. 346, sec. 177, effective July 15, 2002. -- Amended 1978 Ky. Acts ch. 375, sec. 1, effective June 17, 1978. -- Amended 1962 Ky. Acts ch. 11, sec. 1. -- Created 1956 Ky. Acts ch. 206, sec. 3.

KRS 172.990 Penalties

172.990. Penalties (1) Any clerk who is delinquent in making the inventory required in subsection (4) of KRS 172.110 shall be fined five dollars ($5) for each month or part of month he is delinquent. (2) Any person who violates subsection (2) of KRS 172.140 shall, in addition to his civil liability, be fined not exceeding fifty dollars ($50). (3) Any clerk who knowingly permits any book of the laws of this state or reports of the Court of Justice to be taken from his office in such a manner that he cannot produce the book when called upon to do so, shall be fined not exceeding fifty dollars ($50). History: Amended 1976 Ky. Acts ch. 62, sec. 92. -- Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, from Ky. Stat. secs. 2430, 2431, 2438c-8.

Source: Kentucky Legislative Research Commission (legislature.ky.gov)URL: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/chapter.aspx?id=37963Fetched: 10/20/2026